New York City is famous for its yellow (medallion) taxicabs. A widely recognized icon of the city, hailing one is how many people prefer to travel when they're in hurry or are splitting the fare with a few friends.
Licensed by the New York City Taxi and Limousine Commission, the New York yellow cabs, are the only vehicles in the city permitted to pick up passengers in response to a street hail. Medallion taxis can be flag down anywhere in New York City. Available taxis have the center light atop their roof on. Lights off mean the taxi is occupied. Taxis also have an 'off duty' light atop the car.
All cabs accept cash, and credit/debit cards for all fares. There are no minimums or fees to use your credit/debit card. Check with the driver before you get in.
There is no extra charge for additional passengers or luggage. Always ask for your receipt and although not required, it is customary to tip the driver if you receive a good service.
Drivers must use an E-ZPass when taking a toll bridge or tunnel. Discounted E-ZPass tolls will be added to the passenger fare at the end of the trip.
Passengers must pay the tolls to and from a destination for the following trips:
Westchester and Nassau Counties
Trips over the Cross Bay Veterans and Marine Parkway-Gil Hodges Memorial Bridges
Newark Airport (EWR)
How many people can fit into a yellow taxicab?
In New York, the maximum number of passengers allowed in a yellow taxicab by law is four (4) in a four (4) passenger taxicab or five (5) passengers in a five (5) passenger taxicab, except that an additional passenger must be accepted if such passenger is under the age of seven (7) and is held on the lap of an adult passenger seated in the rear.
It is a good idea to always take a receipt when exiting a New York taxicab.
